Manchester club given deadline to sign €40m rated Chelsea target

Roma have set a deadline to Manchester City to sign Moroccan defender and €40m rated Chelsea target Mehdi Benatia according to reports in the Guardian. The Giallorossi have set the Citizens a deadline till the 21st of July, the day both the clubs start their pre-season tours ahead of the 2014-15 season.

The Wolves want around £30m for the defender who is training on his own at the club’s Trigoria training complex. The player has been subject to interest from most of the Premier League powerhouses with Chelsea being the major club interested in the 27 year old.

Manager Rudi Garcia has tried to break the deadlock between the club and the defender, the latter who is reportedly upset with the way Roma are handling the transfer situation.

It is believed that Manchester City are waiting to sign Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala, who would cost up to £35m for the Premier League Champions. The Citizens had earlier pursued their interest in the Frenchman and believe that despite the price tag of the Porto player, he would be a better alternative to Benatia, who is four years older.